# Which fictional mystery would you like to be solved? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 18, 2017, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-fictional-mystery-would-you-like-to-be-solved/777498 "2017-01-18T22:50:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2017, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-fictional-mystery-would-you-like-to-be-solved/777498/101 "2017-01-23T02:47:27Z")
> [@aldiboronti](#): > > What song did the Sirens sing? “Go to sleep, little babe.” ---
**Author:** ![zamboniracer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e9a140/32.png) [@zamboniracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zamboniracer)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2017, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-fictional-mystery-would-you-like-to-be-solved/777498/102 "2017-01-23T03:45:41Z")
As the Master Cecil asked early on, “Did the Corinthians ever write back?” ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2017, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-fictional-mystery-would-you-like-to-be-solved/777498/103 "2017-01-23T17:42:35Z")
Re: **TroutMan** ’s response to my _Brazil_ query. It’s Monday. I’m not ready for this. ---
**Author:** ![PAjoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pajoe/32/58_2.png) [@PAjoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PAjoe)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2017, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-fictional-mystery-would-you-like-to-be-solved/777498/104 "2017-01-23T17:53:52Z")
Was the hill billy that they killed in Deliverance really one of the bad guys? ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2017, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-fictional-mystery-would-you-like-to-be-solved/777498/105 "2017-01-23T18:23:26Z")
> [@Jim\_s\_Son](#): > > In the “Moonlighting” tv Series the Anselmo case was mentioned early on (first episode I think) and when it finally ground to a halt, they noted it was never solved I think the real mystery is, who was paying all the other detective’s and staff’s salaries? City of Angels Detective Agency was set up to lose money (and they lost it great!) as a tax dodge. But when Maddie lost all her money, she didn’t need (or even want) to lose that much money. Sure, she kept the staff on out of some misguided good will (and hand-waving show writing), but where did she get the money? (No work - and pay!) I think the Anselmo case exemplifies how bad an agency they actually are (were?). They just milk the poor schlub who hired them in the first place, and never give results. And then, when they decided they wanted to bring up a detective from the background, they had to bring in a new one. (detective Booger). Those poor actors playing the staff. They were little more than set decoration. ---
**Author:** ![delphica](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e9a140/32.png) [@delphica](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/delphica)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2017, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-fictional-mystery-would-you-like-to-be-solved/777498/106 "2017-01-23T18:33:32Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > From your cite: > > So he’s on the loose again. We may have to start beaming those signals in to keep him from becoming violent. We lack a crucial piece of information. So the question is still unanswered – What _IS_ the frequency? The other confusing gap between the original story and the “solution” is that two assailants were reported when the incident happened, but the solution puts forward one individual, who apparently is delusional. So was this person able to convince another person to be his accomplice? ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2017, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-fictional-mystery-would-you-like-to-be-solved/777498/107 "2017-01-23T18:39:32Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > The Pederasty case? They caught the guy, but the punk got away. > > No thanks to that Danger character… +1 ---
**Author:** ![MacLir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9e8a1a/32.png) [@MacLir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacLir)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2017, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-fictional-mystery-would-you-like-to-be-solved/777498/108 "2017-01-23T18:45:44Z")
> [@drad\_dog](#): > > He sang for the _ **king** _ and queen. So who was the king then? I can’t see the king and queen as Elvis and Joannie. Doesn’t really work. I apologize if this sets off a flame war among the true believers, but I think there is a different explanation: Who is “American Pie” about, mostly? Buddy Holly… Before Elvis, who was considered the “King of Rock and Roll”? Buddy Holly… Now let’s step through it. ♫When the Jester sang for the King and Queen, In a coat he borrowed from James Dean♫ In his early appearances, Elvis looked very much like James Dean. ♫And a voice that came from you and me♫ Strong Southern hillbilly accent and less-than-stellar diction. ♫And while the King was looking down♫ Not facing the floor, but losing status due to his death ♫The Jester stole his thorny crown♫ Thereby becoming The King … ♫The courtroom was adjourned, No verdict was returned.♫ And no one questioned the succession. Then later in the song; ♫With the Jester on the sidelines, in a cast♫ At the time of the other events symbolized by the football game, Elvis was less active in actual music production, and was starring in movies - member of a cast. Definitely not the only play on words in that song. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2017, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-fictional-mystery-would-you-like-to-be-solved/777498/109 "2017-01-23T20:20:00Z")
No mention of the Third Murderer from _Ma–_ er, _The Scottish Play_? Just a garden-variety continuity error, or a dropped plot thread? ---
**Author:** ![HubZilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ccd318/32.png) [@HubZilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HubZilla)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2017, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-fictional-mystery-would-you-like-to-be-solved/777498/110 "2017-01-23T23:26:28Z")
Trying to stay away from plot holes, I wish I could hear a final word from the authors: What happened at the end of Stephen King’s “The Long Walk”? In “1984”, the Newspeak appendix refers to The Party in the past tense. Does this mean the Party gets overthrown, perhaps by the proles? ---
**Author:** ![janis\_and\_c0](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janis_and_c0/32/21_2.png) [@janis\_and\_c0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/janis_and_c0)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2017, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-fictional-mystery-would-you-like-to-be-solved/777498/111 "2017-01-24T01:42:38Z")
Re; American Pie: Many fans believe the King isn’t a reference to the King of Rock and roll, but the king of folk, therefore, Pete Seger and Joan Baez were the king and queen. Plus, they were onstage with Dylan at Newport Folk Festival in 1963. Makes sense to me. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2017, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-fictional-mystery-would-you-like-to-be-solved/777498/112 "2017-01-24T15:59:41Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > What was Shepherd Book’s past, and why did he know so much about the Operative? This one was answered in the [del]comic[/del] graphic novel [_The Shepherd’s Tale_](http://firefly.wikia.com/wiki/Serenity:_The_Shepherd%27s_Tale) (spoiler after the first paragraph) by Dark Horse in 2010. ---
**Author:** ![delphica](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e9a140/32.png) [@delphica](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/delphica)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2017, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-fictional-mystery-would-you-like-to-be-solved/777498/113 "2017-01-24T16:10:19Z")
This is an old one, but I have been thinking about it recently because my daughter is reading the books. Where did Mrs. Graymalkin get this chemistry set? Why is it magic? What was her son up to with it? Who made it? Is this like a retail thing? Or did someone buy a regular chemistry set and make it magic? ---
**Author:** ![Marine\_One](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marine_one/32/3461_2.png) [@Marine\_One](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marine_One)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2017, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-fictional-mystery-would-you-like-to-be-solved/777498/114 "2017-01-24T19:04:46Z")
In The _Time Machine (1960)_, what 3 books did George take when he went back to the future? ---
**Author:** ![furryman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/furryman/32/99_2.png) [@furryman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furryman)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2017, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-fictional-mystery-would-you-like-to-be-solved/777498/115 "2017-01-24T20:57:01Z")
> [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > Just had a thought: while there are many interesting mysteries mentioned so far (though most fly over my head because you just can’t know any cultural reference), they all come from novels, movies or songs, but not from classic mythology. But there must be also many examples in the Bible, Greek and Norse mythology and such, and by no means I am thinking of theological mysteries and subtleties (please let’s not go into that in CS ;)), but of actually plot points or even plot holes that affect the story. Got any? 1. Why is Cupid often portrayed as a baby? 2. A nymph falls in love with Hermaphrodite and prays to Zeus for them to be together forever. Why does Zeus grant her wish? 3. What did Hermaphrodite look like after? One theory I read said He/she may have had two bodies. How would that even work? ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2017, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-fictional-mystery-would-you-like-to-be-solved/777498/116 "2017-01-25T02:15:32Z")
> [@PAjoe](#): > > Was the hill billy that they killed in Deliverance really one of the bad guys? Solved. Yes. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2017, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-fictional-mystery-would-you-like-to-be-solved/777498/117 "2017-01-25T02:33:00Z")
In the novel version of \*The Hitch Hiker’s Guide To The Galaxy \*there is a mystery set up where somebody bruises their upper arm. The person’s identity is a mystery to be revealed later. Strangely enough, the question is never answered. The radio and TV versions each had an answer. But given the major differences between the versions we can’t trust that. ---
**Author:** ![DrForrester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8edcca/32.png) [@DrForrester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrForrester)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2017, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-fictional-mystery-would-you-like-to-be-solved/777498/118 "2017-01-25T03:32:42Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > In the novel version of \*The Hitch Hiker’s Guide To The Galaxy \*there is a mystery set up where somebody bruises their upper arm. The person’s identity is a mystery to be revealed later. Strangely enough, the question is never answered. > > The radio and TV versions each had an answer. But given the major differences between the versions we can’t trust that. I adore Douglas Adams for this mystery. His line about it is brilliant. The reader can just imagine his reassuring voice say that the identity of the person whose arm is bruised can safely remain a mystery because it is of no consequence whatsoever. Thank You for mentioning this one! ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2017, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-fictional-mystery-would-you-like-to-be-solved/777498/119 "2017-01-25T11:41:11Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > More important is, what happened to Napoleon Dynamite’s parents? And Huey, Dewey and Louie’s parents? > [@Steve\_MB](#): > > No mention of the Third Murderer from _Ma–_ er, _The Scottish Play_? Just a garden-variety continuity error, or a dropped plot thread? Likewise, what happened to the Fool from _King Lear_? I suspect that in both cases the real answer is that the original actor playing the role was needed for a different role later in the play, but given the prominence of the Fool in Act I, his unremarked disappearance seems abrupt. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2017, 11:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-fictional-mystery-would-you-like-to-be-solved/777498/120 "2017-01-25T11:45:46Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > In the novel version of \*The Hitch Hiker’s Guide To The Galaxy \*there is a mystery set up where somebody bruises their upper arm. The person’s identity is a mystery to be revealed later. Strangely enough, the question is never answered. > > The radio and TV versions each had an answer. But given the major differences between the versions we can’t trust that. Well, the radio show came first (even before the book) so if one needs a definitive answer it’s “Arthur”. But the revised, unresolved version is better. One more I’ve just thought of: I want to know when the father in _Fortunately, The Milk_ encountered the piranhas. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-fictional-mystery-would-you-like-to-be-solved/777498.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-fictional-mystery-would-you-like-to-be-solved/777498.md?page=7)